Any experience with reusable hand warmers?

truckemup97

truckemup97

Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2006
Messages
3,318
Reaction score
559
Location
Indian Territory
I've been looking at several different kinds of reusable hand warmers. One has a water/salts solution that gets to 130F for about half an hour, then has to be boiled for 10 minutes to recharge. Another is electric/electronic and is recharged via a USB outlet. The third runs on lighter fluid and looks somewhat like a Zippo. Anyone have any real-world experience with these?

Thanks!
 
Register to hide this ad
I've used the kind with lighter fluid. They are a little messy and take a little bit of effort to light, but they burn hot for a long time, like 6-8 hours. They do smell a little bit funny.
 
One has a water/salts solution that gets to 130F for about half an hour, then has to be boiled for 10 minutes to recharge.
Click to expand...

You can do the same thing with the "disposable" warmers that have the little metal disc in them to activate them. Wrap them in a cloth and placing in boiling water for about 10 minutes will cause the pack to go back to a liquid solution.

bob
 
I've used those red velvet covered tin cases that are about the size of a standard trifold wallet. They're lined with a fireproof material and you put a lit strip of charcoal inside...the charcoal strips come with it and I'm pretty sure you can still buy them seperately too. Not as messy as the lighter fluid type.
 
When I lived in the frozen north, I sometimes used the lighter-fluid fueled type --- they are very effective and burn a long time, like most of a short November day, but they emit obnoxious fumes, and can get dangerously hot --- I once got a first degree burn on my thigh from one I kept in a front pocket, sort of like boiling a frog, I guess, no burning sensation or other pain at the time, but at the end of the day I was "cooked'.
 
I also use the lighter fluid type. Mine are Zippo's. I have two, one for each coat pocket. I work at a car wash. I use them every day thats colder than about 10 degrees. They work great. I think the Zippo brand might be better quality, cause I never have had any problem with fluid leaking or smell. They last 6 to 8 hours.

Wingmaster
 
I have used the same one for 40 years, great for hands bad for boots. Lighter fluid can be hard to find on the spur of the moment. I'm pretty sure mine was imported, even the red flannel nightie is functioning.
 
I started hunting with the Jon-e hand warmers 35 years ago (zippo type). Odorless my eye. They’re bulky and too much trouble.

Next I tried the fluid filled baggy type with a metal catalyst disc; got a bunch of them. After boiling them a few times, they accidently go off with little agitation. Half went off while stored in a tub in my basement. They’re also bulky and heavy for what they are.

My favorite are the new open and shake style. They take up very little space, are light and work when you need them. My local Sam’s club has jumbo boxes that are a hit at hunting camp. The boot warmers are also good.

000_8709.jpg
 
I have used the Jon E handwarmers, the lighter fluid type many years ago. They work good. I have even used them inside a sleeping bag, just do not let one slip out of its bag...

However what works real good with the least fuss is the ones you can buy that are activated buy just opening the package.
You can put them in your pocket or in your gloves/mittens

They also have ones that go in your boots. They work great as well.
 
The JonE hand warmers really stink for deer hunting (or dear hunting for that matter) but are just great for fishing.... I guess fish just have a bad sense of smell - How would they ever get together otherwise?
 
I'll take the old stand-bys

I still love the Jon E handwarmers....saved my bacon and became the envy of many soldiers in Alaska. Seems after marching all day and into the night--54 degrees down to 13 degrees after four hours of rain-- that upon sleep time, I was the only one snoring and not frozen.
 
I've only used the liquid fuel type. I have two - a Jon-e (the one in the red bag) and one in a blue bag that's stamped "Made in Occupied Japan". Guess it's the older of the two. :D

They work well but they're messy.
 
We must throw out a couple hundred used chemical handwarmers and related packing a week at the range in the winter. Not counting the stuff that hit the wind. I feel good about using a fuel powered handwarmer. And for me at least the smell brings back some memories of my youth. Can't say that about the portland cement based stuff.
 
truckemup97 said:
One has a water/salts solution that gets to 130F for about half an hour, then has to be boiled for 10 minutes to recharge. . .
Click to expand...

I've used these a good bit because they emit no odor. I've also never boiled them to recharge, I just stick them in the microwave for three or four 30 second sessions.

On the down side, they are heavy and bulky compared to the heat they generate, and they only generate heat for about 30 minutes.

I've pretty much gone back to the disposable pocket and boot warmers. They are easy to pack, generate for about 6 to 8 hours, and you just chunk them when they're done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top